MGM China is gearing up for its first significant poker tournament series, the 2024 MGM Poker Tournament Series, slated to take place from September 3 to 15 at the prestigious MGM Cotai in Macau. This eagerly anticipated event marks a pivotal moment in Macau’s poker scene, offering players and enthusiasts a chance to participate in a high-stakes competition designed to revive and elevate the poker landscape in the region.

The 2024 MGM Poker Tournament Series will feature a carefully curated schedule of four major events. The centerpiece is the Millionaire Maker Poker Tournament, which boasts a guaranteed first prize of HKD1 million (approximately USD128,000). This series aims to provide a thrilling poker experience, drawing in both professional players and casual enthusiasts eager to compete for substantial rewards.

A diverse range of poker events:

The tournament series will commence on September 3 with two preliminary satellite events, providing players with a chance to secure their spots in the main events. These initial satellites will lead into daily single-table satellites, running until September 12. This approach allows players multiple opportunities to enter high-stakes competitions and gain valuable experience in a competitive setting.

The main events will kick off on September 4, starting with the HKD5,000 (USD640) Mystery Bounty Event. This intriguing tournament format adds an element of surprise, as players compete for mystery prizes alongside traditional payouts. Following this, participants can engage in the HKD6,800 (USD870) Golden Lion Bracelet Event, which is expected to draw significant attention due to its enticing rewards and prestige.

For those seeking even higher stakes, the HKD88,000 (USD11,265) High Roller event offers an exclusive platform for elite players to showcase their skills and vie for substantial prize pools. This event is set to attract some of the biggest names in poker, offering intense competition and thrilling gameplay, according to Inside Asian Gaming.

The Millionaire Maker: a highlight of the series:

The crown jewel of the tournament series, the Millionaire Maker Poker Tournament, features a buy-in of HKD8,880 (USD1,136) and consists of five Day 1 flights. This structure provides players with multiple opportunities to secure their place in the later stages of the competition, enhancing their chances of claiming the coveted HKD1 million top prize.

This series not only marks a significant milestone for MGM China but also signifies a broader effort by gaming operators in Macau to rejuvenate the poker scene. The recent success of the Macao Masters tournament, held in March at The Venetian Macao by Sands China, served as the first official poker tournament in Macau in over six years, as the Macau Daily Times reports.

Despite the excitement surrounding these events, the poker scene in Macau has faced some challenges. Notably, the World Poker Tour (WPT) had to cancel a planned main tour stop at Wynn Palace in June. Although no official reason was provided for the cancellation, industry insiders suggest that Macau’s concessionaires have been advised to avoid collaborations with international operators for poker events. This directive emphasizes the importance of self-run tournaments, ensuring that local operators maintain control and direction over the region’s poker activities.